No injuries in southwestern Columbia house fire

COLUMBIA — Firefighters responded to a house fire at 9:36 a.m. Saturday in southwestern Columbia. No one was injured.

Boone County Fire Protection District firefighters arrived on the scene soon after the homeowner of 4320 S. Brushwood Lake Road called 911 Saturday morning. Columbia Fire Department firefighters arrived at the scene later.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before it spread out of the garage, where they believe the fire originated, said Gale Blomenkamp, Boone County Fire Protection District battalion chief. No other structures were in the vicinity.

Three engines and four tankers responded to the fire, Blomenkamp said. The residence is located in a joint-response area, so both the Fire District and Columbia firefighters responded to the fire.

After extinguishing the fire, responders began removing the insulation from the garage's ceiling to prevent further fire risk, Blomenkamp said. Firefighters were also able to rescue the two cats residing in the home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but a hole in the garage's roof might indicate it started in that area, Blomenkamp said. The estimated damage of the fire is yet unknown.